Field Trip: Magnolia Farmers Market

The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance of Seattle supports local small family farms with markets in Magnolia, Phinney, Lake City, Columbia City, West Seattle, Capitol Hill/Broadway, and the U-District. They offer programs for low-income shoppers, farmer emergency relief, free community events, and provide the Seattle area with some of the best fruits & veggies money can buy. The type of organization I want to support! Grabbing my shoes and shopping bags...off I go.

Magnolia Farmers Market

On a beautiful Saturday morning, we arrived at the Magnolia Farmers Market. They're open from 10 am - 2 pm through October 8th this year. I have to keep myself from skipping when I get to a farmers market like this: two long rows of vendors selling gorgeous produce - like this kohlrabi.

Present Tense Farm

Purple kohlrabi and cilantro from Present Tense Farm.

I mean, really. What could be better? I was able to get three beautiful kohlrabi in a bunch for $3 at Present Tense Farm. In my book, Present Tense unofficially won the Most Gorgeous Farm Stand Award at this farmers market. Their produce was carefully stacked and placed in lovely market baskets, and they had gone to the effort of creating beautiful hand-drawn markers, complete with a colorful drawing of each vegetable.

While I'm not able to buy from every stand, I try to spread the love and get to as many as I can. Next, how about some fruit?

Hayton Farms

I only buy from farms that work in harmony with nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals or GMOs, because those are the practices that provide the most nutritious, delicious food while keeping our environment clean. Wouldn't it be nice to keep our environment clean? Better for the farmers and us. They don't have to be certified organic, as long as they follow organic practices. Getting certified can be an expensive process. So I take notice when farms like Hayton Farms has made the effort to become certified organic. Their berries are sooo delicious, and I'm glad to find them at local grocers, too. Our six-pack of berries disappeared quickly once we got home.

Hayton Farms

Goose and Gander Farm

Crinkled peppery cress and chicory from Goose and Gander Farm.

This sweet stand had all kinds of wonderful greens. We'd never tried chicory or a crinkled peppery watercress before, so had to get those. A lot to love at Goose and Gander Farm.

Goose and Gander Farm

Kittitas Valley Greenhouse

Bumblebee Mix from Kittitas Valley Greenhouse.

Loads of amazing heirloom tomatoes can be found at the Kittitas Valley Greenhouse stand. Yes, this early! That's the beauty of greenhouses, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. We bought several varieties, and of course couldn't pass up the Bumblebee Mix and Brandywines.

Cereal Box Bakery, Trevani Truffles, and Seattle Canning Co.

Trevani Truffles had a couple vegan truffle options, which we were quick to jump on.

Trevani Truffles

Seattle Canning Co. was offering samples, and once I tried their Spicy Eggplant Kasundi, I knew I needed it! OMG! It's been the highlight of the stir fries I've been whipping up this week.

Seattle Canning Co.

It's a bit like going to a theme park for me, these farmers markets. Buying such fresh, delicious ingredients and handmade foods means we have more nutritious "grab and go" options around the house, and often minimal cooking is required to achieve a delicious meal. Find the fun at a farmers market near you!